A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has issued an ex parte order allowing the Action People’s Party (APP) to serve its Rivers State chairman, Sunny Wokekoro, along with the 23 chairmanship candidates and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), using alternative methods.
The legal action was initiated by Hart Badom, Destiny Omereji, and four others who are contesting the legitimacy of Wokekoro’s position as State Chairman of APP, seeking to have Badom reinstated in his former role.
The plaintiffs are also questioning the legitimacy of the 23 candidates for chairmanship, raising concerns about their membership status within the APP in the state. They are requesting a declaration that all decisions made by Wokekoro be deemed null and void.
During the hearing, the plaintiffs’ attorney, Excel Omeghara, filed for an ex parte motion to serve the defendants via substituted means, which was approved by Justice Emmanuel Obele, the presiding judge.
Recently, the APP has gained traction in Rivers State, particularly as it has become the chosen platform for supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5.
Many of the APP’s chairmanship candidates previously belonged to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but transitioned to APP amid ongoing internal conflicts within the PDP in the state.
While Governor Fubara is anticipated to take over leadership of the PDP upon assuming office, as outlined in the party’s constitution, his predecessor and political mentor, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, has not relinquished his position, resulting in a leadership struggle within the PDP.
In the meantime, the PDP in Rivers State has declared its intention to boycott the forthcoming local government elections.
State PDP Chairman Aaron Chikwuemeka reiterated this stance during a press conference in Port Harcourt last Monday, reaffirming the loyalty of the state executive to Minister Wike.
